Opening act Lunar Mile are a completely new name to this reviewer, however given the strength of this performance they may very well become rather better known in the near future. In vocalist Toni-Marie they have a front person who can certainly hold an audiences' attention, both with her vocals and her stage presence, and the music proved to be equally as good. A mix of classic rock, with elements of a more modern approach to arrangements and delivery, the songs featured in this short set are a cut above average for an unsigned band and bode well for the future. A name to look out for.

The Lizards, as was stated in our review of their latest album 'Cold Blooded Kings' deliver a "a very 70’s/21st Century hybrid sound" which has classic rock overtones and is bluesy and even funky in parts. This performance did nothing to dispel those sentiments as the band showcased songs from all three of their studio albums.

Initially the band set up seemed a little unwieldy, with drummer Bobby Rondinelli taking front and centre, pushing vocalist Mike DiMeo slightly to the left of the stage.  However once the band kicked into gear this idiosyncrasy seemed irrelevant as the band served up a set of powerhouse tunes. 'Something Higher', 'Down', 'The Rodeo' and 'Hyperspace' all served to show just how proficient and talented the four members of this band are. With Rondinelli driving the beat and bassist Randy Pratt providing a solid foundation for DiMeo's soulful, yet powerful vocals and guitarist Patrick Klein's elegant and effective licks, the band delivered a set that was packed full of organic songs with feel and emotion.

The highlight of the show without a doubt was 'Hyperspace' which, although an instrumental piece'  proved outstanding in the live situation with atmospheric guitars and keyboards flowing through the composition in addition to some very juicy harmonica and bass work from Pratt. Rounding out the set with the equally stunning 'The Opal Crest of Zed' from the afore mentioned 'Cold Blooded Kings' album that featured a simple, yet highly effective, Rondinelli drum solo, The Lizards departed with the applause of a very appreciative audience ringing in their ears. This band will surely return to Europe as a headline act in the near future and I for one will be happy to be there.

You can check out more on The Lizards via their website @ www.thelizardswebsite.com

Mike DiMeo

Patrick Klein

And so on to Glenn Hughes, a man with a pedigree as long as your arm and blessed with one of the best voices in the history of rock and roll.

Opening the show with the title track from his latest album 'Soul Mover' Hughes and his band slipped effortlessly into top form. 'Orion' and 'Land Of The Livin' quickly followed up before Hughes delved into his past for the first time to serve up the Deep Purple classic Mistreated. The crystal clear sound mix certainly highlighted the strength of Hughes' voice at present especially during the acapella finale to the song, picking up all the little nuances and phrasing of an exquisite vocal delivery.

It is certainly to Hughes' credit that so much new material features in the set list chosen for this tour. It would have been easy to rely on classics from his illustrious past in order to send punters home happy, however Hughes genuinely seems comfortable with where his career is at present and obviously has confidence both in his new recordings and his live show. The between songs banter was amiable and relaxed and, with the addition of the  little anecdotes around the songs, succeeded in  bringing some perspective to their creation.

The remainder of the main body of the set was also to feature a high proportion of tracks from Hughes current opus, with 'Let It Go', 'High Road & Don't Let me Bleed' all receiving an airing. In fact it wasn't until the well deserved encore that history was once again revisited with  the title track to the Black Sabbath album Seventh Star getting a well deserved outing. Hughes' work with Tony iommi has always been of the highest quality, both on the Seventh Star record and its more recent companion The DEP Sessions and as Hughes gently alluded to, he is once again working with the Sabbath six stringer and a new album should surface at some point in 2005. Rounding off the evening was a blistering run through a second  Deep Purple number in the shape of Burn, complete with some shredding guitar work courtesy of JJ Marsh. An apt way to finish indeed, as both Hughes & band burned brightly tonight and as the audience left the venue it  appeared that there was nothing but high praise for the show as a whole.

The "voice of rock" is truly back on form and if the evidence of this live show and the strength of the Soul Mover album is anything to go by, then his career is definitely back on an upward curve. Long may it continue!